Got a question for us? Email us at INDWeb@usc.salvationarmy.org. If it’s a question of general interest, you might even see it appear here on our FAQ!
Q: How do I arrange for pick-up of my donation of clothing and household goods?
Please see our ARC Website for more information.
Q: What’s the mission of the Salvation Army?
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Q: What’s the Indiana Division?
The Salvation Army Indiana Division is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The division, one of 10 Salvation Army divisions comprising 11 Midwestern U.S. states, is responsible for providing worship opportunities, community-based programs and social services initiatives in the most of Indiana’s counties. You will find us in Indianapolis, Indiana and throughout the state in areas covered by Salvation Army Service Extension.
Q: Is there a regional governing body for the Salvation Army in the Midwest?
The Salvation Army Indiana Division is managed by the The Salvation Army Central Territory, one of four U.S. regions of the Salvation Army comprising the Salvation Army of the United States of America.
Q: Who leads the Salvation Army Indiana Division?
Majors Bob and Collette Webster were named leaders of the Salvation Army Indiana Division in 2014.
Q: What’s a “corps?” A “center?” A “thrift store?”
A Salvation Army corps is a church first and foremost, where community members gather to worship on Sundays and throughout the week. All Salvation Army corps provide community-based programming, including educational classes, tutoring, fellowship classes and activities and much more. Salvation Army corps are also a haven for the poor, troubled, abused and addicted to seek solutions to their problems; corps are led by local Salvation Army officers who are ordained ministers and experienced social service providers who lead local teams of case managers to meet the needs of the less-fortunate and troubled. A Salvation Army center specializes in specific needs of people. The Salvation Army operates specialized male-only, female-only and family centers throughout the state, focusing on such issues as rehabilitation, drug abuse treatment, domestic abuse recovery, medically supervised detoxification and homelessness services. A Salvation Army Thrift and Family Store sells goods such as clothing, furniture, and household items that have been donated to The Salvation Army. Some thrift stores are operated by our Adult Rehabilitation Centers, while others are run by our local Corps – Community Centers. Through the sale of donated goods, the Salvation Army is able to fund the operating expenses of our many and varied programs. This site includes a complete listing of Salvation Army thrift stores in Indiana.
Q: What is a Salvation Army officer?
A Salvation Army officer is an ordained minister. Officers attend a two-year seminary called the Salvation Army College for Officer Training. After graduation, they are commissioned as officers in The Salvation Army, and they are appointed to lead or help lead a local Salvation Army Corps. The Salvation Army is a quasi-military organization; that’s why Salvation Army carry military ranks like captain, major and colonel. The global Salvation Army is led by a general.
Q: How is the Salvation Army structured?
Although the Salvation Army is an international organization with leadership vested in its global leader, a general, the very nature of its work calls for considerable national, territorial and local autonomy. In the U.S., a national commander and headquarters staff leads the Salvation Army of the United States of America. The Salvation Army in the U.S. is divided into four separate territories. Each territory is commanded by a commissioner and headquarters staff. Each territory overseas various divisions of the Salvation Army. A division may be a large metropolitan area, a state or many states. Each Salvation Army division is led by a divisional commander and headquarters staff. Salvation Army divisions consist of local Salvation Army corps, centers of service, service extension programs and thrift and family stores. Some divisions may have several local corps and local centers that provide a variety of local programs, ranging from religious services and evangelistic campaigns to family counselling, day-care centers, youth activities, and general programs. The religious and social services implement the Salvation Army’s purpose of preaching the gospel to effect spiritual, moral and physical reclamation. Advisory Board and Advisory Council organizations provide valuable assistance and advice to local Salvation Army corps, centers and geographical areas. Local community leaders volunteer their efforts to help the Salvation Army maintain good business and professional relations. Local advisory boards review annual budgets, help coordinate programs with other agencies, and provide advise for local activities and fund-raising campaigns. To learn about the Salvation Army’s global, national, state and local Salvation Army operations, click on the links at the very top of this page (in the grey bar above the menu). There are links to The Salvation Army at the international, national, and territorial levels.
Q: How much does the Salvation Army rely upon volunteers?
Volunteers from all walks of life strongly support the Salvation Army in almost all of its activities. Their time and commitment are essential to the success of the organization. The millions of volunteers who function as part of the Salvation Army’s ministry each year enhance the effectiveness of programs and services offered to men, women, children and families in need. Volunteer opportunities throughout the Salvation Army Indiana Division are available each and every day.
Q: How are donations used by the Salvation Army to help people?
More than 82 cents of each and every dollar donated to the Salvation Army Indiana Division is used to provide direct services to people in need. Donations are critical in helping the Salvation Army Indiana Division sustain and enhance its various community-based initiatives. During times of disaster, 100 percent of financial donations made to support Salvation Army disaster response is used to provide direct assistance and support to victims.
Q: I know the Salvation Army is busy every day helping the homeless, the poor and the troubled. But I never hear about the organization, except at Christmas. Why?
The Salvation Army Indiana Division does its best to get word out about its ability to meet human need through a variety of community-based and community-backed programs, social service initiatives and worship opportunities. As a general guideline, the Salvation Army does not pay for advertising. There are times, however, when the Salvation Army turns to the public for help in supporting an area of its vast ministry to ensure we have the resources, abilities and manpower to meet those needs. A good example is when disaster strikes a local community: you may hear a lot about Salvation Army response and its needs for donations and volunteers on the TV and radio news but you may also see special mailings, newspaper ads, commercials, billboards or other promotional materials. There’s a difference between these items and paid advertising, however, and the Salvation Army is careful to maintain that more than 86 cents of each and every donated dollar goes to provide direct and professional services to those in need. The Salvation Army is busy each and every day in communities throughout the world meeting human need in His name without discrimination. An fact of the matter is, we need the help of the people in our local communities each and every day — whether they give financial or material gifts, get involved or support the Salvation Army and its ministries in other ways.
Q: How long has the Salvation Army been around?
The Salvation Army began in London in 1865. The Salvation Army’s history of providing avenues to Christ for those in need is long and storied.
Q: I have a really nice refrigerator and dining room set to give to someone who needs them because we are moving soon. Can the Salvation Army use these items? How?
Yes, the Salvation Army will accept your material donation as long as it is in good working order. Contact your nearest Salvation Army thrift store for more information about making a donation. The sale of donated goods at local Salvation Army thrift and family stores helps to support the residential rehabilitation programs offered to men in need in our Adult Rehabilitation Centers, and provides revenue to fund the ongoing expenses of The Salvation Army in your local community.
Q: Do you have a Salvation Army location in my home town?
Check for yourself by visiting our Indiana listing of local Salvation Army corps.
Q: I need help getting to and from my medical appointments. And there’s no local Salvation Army corps or center in my home town. Can you still help me?
If there is no Salvation Army corps or center in your home town, then chances are you and your neighbors fall under the jurisdiction of Salvation Army Service Extension, a program that utilizes a statewide network of professionals and volunteers to provide local Salvation Army assistance programs and services to those in need in Indiana counties where no physical Salvation Army presence is maintained.
Q: What kinds of activities, programs and services does the Salvation Army provide to youth?
Local Salvation Army corps and centers typically operate before- and after-school programs for youth, which prove to be affordable, trusting, nurturing and educational environments for children of working parents. Many local Salvation Army corps and centers operate child care facilities. Local corps and centers may also offer recreational sports leagues to their youth and educational opportunities, such as peer tutoring, field trips, Bible study, youth groups and more. Local Salvation Army corps and centers also lead the way in sending local children to one if not more Salvation Army summer camps each year.
Q: Does The Salvation Army discriminate based on sexual orientation?
Please click here for the answers to any questions related to The Salvation Army’s position on sexual orientation.
Q: What are the terms and conditions for accessing this web site? Do you have a privacy policy?
Please see our legal disclaimers and privacy notice page.